Brace yourselves: Intel’s economic impact will be unprecedented

Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council Executive Secretary-Treasurer Dorsey Hager made his monthly appearance on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and provided an analysis on the economic impact of the $20 billion Intel project, including what it will mean for Ohio’s building trades.

Intel plans to construct a $20 billion semiconductor chip manufacturing plant in New Albany, Ohio, just north of Columbus, over the next 36 months. Hager expects construction to start sometime in July, when crews will begin to move dirt. He believes groundbreaking will take place by the end of the year. The initial estimate for manpower at the height of the project is over 7,500 union construction workers, including 3,000 plumbers and pipefitters, 1,800 electricians and 700 sheet metal workers, he said.

Intel wants the fab to begin producing microchips by July 2025, he added.

Hager, along with other C/COBCTC leaders, visited a similar sized Intel plant in Chandler, Arizona in order to wrap their heads around the scope of the project. Normally not at a loss for words, Hager admitted he had trouble describing the sheer magnitude of economic activity the project will bring to Ohio. He joked it is like a father who thinks he’s busy with two daughters trying to imagine adopting another 36 daughters.

The Intel project, combined with multiple other area projects, has placed a premium on manpower. This need has led to plans to expand the Building Futures and Driving Futures programs. Both programs need to grow in order to meet the increased economic demand central Ohio will see as a result of the Intel fab, he said.

Hager then spoke about the growth capacity many unions throughout Ohio will see as a result of the economic boom caused by the Intel project. He believes all types of unions associated with this industry across the state will be able to grow their ranks in order to service this sector and the other companies who will expand into the state as well.

Listen to the entire episode to learn more about how the Intel plant will benefit Ohio.